Habs' Gorges "in shock" over trade talks

Montreal Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges says he is stunned to learn that the club is looking to trade him.

He reportedly nixed a deal that would have sent him to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's not yet known which player the Habs would have received in return, although it was one rumoured to be "roster-ready."

Gorges told the Gazette's Dave Stubbs and the Journal de Montréal's J-F Chaumont that, "I have never asked for a trade, this is the call of Marc Bergevin. I am in shock."

He added, "This is really hard to accept. I have always given my heart to this team. I want people to know that I never wanted to leave Montreal. In no way has this been my decision."

Gorges has a limited no-trade clause in his contract, with 15 teams he is willing to join. Toronto, and any other Canadian team, is not on it.

The 29-year-old has four years remaining on his six-year contract, paying him $3.9-million a year.

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